Gas pump taxes are mostly used (or intended to be used) for infrastructure. The billions that our government gives to the Koch brothers every year so they can continue buying yachts at least partially comes from federal income tax dollars, we all pay it whether we drive or not.

The New Hybrid Tacoma, is a 2.4liter Turbocharged 4cylinder with a Hybrid Motor, boasting 465ft lbs of Torque. They always had the capability. Could Easily put it in the new STI, will they do it? No, because Subaru likes to adhere to Hipsters and Old people coming in for their 4th Bumper replacement at every repair shop.

As an Impreza owner who has had their front bumper replaced twice already and has been sitting on a mint, painted front bumper cover for over a year, waiting to swap on, I resemble your remark, Russ.

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the rear bumper looks like it at least is getting some use on the new VB WRX though. so that's good.

I can't tell from the press release, but I don't think the hybrid comes in stick. Only the 2.4L 270hp ICE comes in 6MT. So, that wouldn't help the STI (dear lord, no automatic gas STI please).

https://pressroom.toyota.com/2024-to...nture-machine/

Yeah, but you're like 9 times cooler than the Karen trying to get her front bumper covered on a rear fender claim haha

oh come on, the new SPT transmission is faster than manual or DCT.

My goal in life is to be at least 10x cooler than a Karen, so I'm glad to know I'm almost there. Much thanks!

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Even if that was true, I still don't want anything but a manual. I live in paddle-shifter mode on the Giulia bc I can't just sit there as the car shifts for itself. Given the choice, I would own a manual version.

Although dwf137 was joking, IS350 owner checking in - same. I know going from the 8spd auto to a 6sp manual would negatively impact the cars performance, but I wouldn't have to worry about the transmission not knowing what I want it to do anymore, that and it would be a more enjoyable driving experience.

all jokes. unlike every other automatic out there these days, SPT is still slower than the manual no matter how they want to brand it.

I'm shopping for a used bmw at the moment, hard to find in manual. debated going auto because they're easier to find and my wife would be willing to drive it, but I just don't think I could drop the manual. I know the auto will be faster and easier to drive fast, but there's definitely something lost with an auto.

Although I do like the complete lack of gears on an EV. Just smooth power delivery, no hesitation, no shifting.

When I bought my IS ~3.5yrs ago I went from my 06 wrx 5mt wagon to an 8at sedan. I miss the manual, I miss the wagon; I thought I'd miss them back then too, but there just wasn't anything on the market with four doors that checked enough of my boxes and I was sick of always working on my 06. I bought the IS as a "for the time being car" expecting something to hit market that I wanted in the next 3-5 years... that hasn't happened yet, hopefully it does. I do like that it's RWD, has a good chassis, is comfortable, and it's a Lexus/Toyota with an NA V6 so I don't expect any issues with it. Although I haven't used the CD player at all since the first few months of ownership, I appreciate the other old-school aspects, like physical controls for everything. The IS500 has the engine I want but is saddled with the transmission I don't, the CT4V-BW has the transmission I want, but I don't like the engine, the M3 has an engine & trans I like, but it's ~80k before tax & delivery and I'm just not willing to spend that.

All of that to say, if you think you want a manual, you should get a manual.
I agree with you on the EV front.

M235i convertible manual is a combination that's nearly impossible to find, but it is possible. I've found 1 in the time that I've been searching and it sold fast. I'm going to drive an auto to see if I might just be cool with it. I do like how easy it is to drive automatics fast... if you want to take off from a stop light or stop sign or something in a manual you're "trying" harder, whereas an auto just goes, and you can play with flappy paddles as needed. I dunno...

Kinda wish MG would bring their EV convertible over...